Kasait, Bett beat opponents in Tuskys Wareng Cross country championship

Lilian Kasait wins senior women’s 10km race during Tuskys Wareng Cross Country race at Huruma Grounds in Eldoret on November 19, 2017. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |

What you need to know:

  • IAAF World Cross Country Championships bronze medallist Lilian Kasait and Emmanuel Bett are the new winners of 13th edition of Tuskys Wareng Cross Country championships held in Eldoret Sunday.
  • Kasait, who clocked 33 minutes, 54.4 seconds said it was a tough job balancing between training for the race and revising for her Form Four examinations.
  • “I’m happy to have won today but it was not an easy task balancing between training and revising for the exams. I’m very happy with the way things have gone,” said the Ngong-based athlete.

IAAF World Cross Country Championships bronze medallist Lilian Kasait and Emmanuel Bett are the new winners of 13th edition of Tuskys Wareng Cross Country championships held in Eldoret Sunday.

Kasait, who clocked 33 minutes, 54.4 seconds said it was a tough job balancing between training for the race and revising for her Form Four examinations.

“I’m happy to have won today but it was not an easy task balancing between training and revising for the exams. I’m very happy with the way things have gone,” said the Ngong-based athlete.

Kasait said that she was using the race to train ahead of a busy season next year where she will be competing for a place in Team Kenya for Africa Cross Country Championships to be held in Algeria and the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

“I’m using the races as a build up for the next season where I want to participate in the Africa Cross Country Championships and Commonwealth Games where I’ll be running in 10,000m,” said the athlete.

Valary Jemeli, who wound up third in Berlin Marathon, was second after clocking 34:23.3, while Stacy Ndiwa came third in 34:35.1.

Jemeli said that she was using the race for speed work ahead of major marathons next year.

In the men’s category, Keringet-based Emmanuel Bett ran a tactful race, coming from behind to win in 30:00.8.

Bett said that he ran from behind since he has a strong finishing kick which would work in his favour in the race.

“My strong finishing kick helped me a lot. I’m very happy because I had done enough training,” said Bett.

Alfred Barkach was second after clocking 30:01.9, while Josphat Kipchirchir came third in 30:02.1.

In junior men’s 8km race, Form Four student at Chewoyet High School Robert Kiprop led the after clocking 24:05.3 ahead of Michael Kibet who timed 24:08.9 while Bethuel Kipkemboi was third clocking 24:30.6.

In junior women’s 6km race, IAAF World Under-18 Championships 1,500m bronze medallist Edna Jebitok led after timing 21:05 ahead of Deborah Chemutai (21:14) while Violah Chepkurui was placed clocking 21:45.